Transcript Jainism: Universe in endless cycles of time, progressive half-cycle, then degenerative half cycle

Jainism:
Universe in endless cycles of time,
progressive half-cycle, then
degenerative half cycle
24 Jinas (conquerors)/Tirthankaras
(ford-builders) in each half-cycle
Mahavira (c. 599-527 BC)
Born Kshatriya
Dedicated to ahimsa (non-violence)
Becomes mendicant ascetic at 30
After twelve and a half years attains kevela
(supreme enlightenment) and becomes
24th Jina
Problem of karmic matter trapping soul in
samsara
Quest for moksha
Dies at 72
By 1st c. AD Jainism has split into Digambara
(sky-clad) and Shvetambara (white-clad)
groups
Differing attitudes over clothes, scripture,
women
Today are about 5 million Jains?
Infinite number of immaterial, eternal souls, but
trapped in bodies as gods, humans, hellbeings, animals, plants
Hatreds and desires attract material karma,
which clouds consciousness, leading to
more of same, and also causing reciprocal
suffering and rebirth after death
Only humans can attain liberation
Attain liberation by stopping attracting, and
expelling, karmic matter
Keep soul pure and hope for right
circumstances, leading to path of
inevitable liberation
Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Practice
Great Vows/Restraints: Refrain from…
Injuring life
False speech
Taking what is not given
Being unchaste
Having possessions
Practices:
Meditation, aiming to attain
enlightenment
Fatal trance at end of life
Activities of laypeople:
Vows to refrain from violence, lying,
stealing, illicit sex, attachment to
possessions
Other acts incl. worhip of Jinas, support
of monks/nuns
Jains are vegetarian, avoid professions
where might have to do harm, and
often work for public welfare
Activities of laypeople:
Prayer and meditation
Worship of Jinas at temples, sometimes
other deities (e.g. gods of places,
Sarasvati [Goddess of Learning])
Fasts, festivals and pilgrimages
Rituals associated with life stages
Jains as oldest continuously-existing religious
community
Interdependence of monks/nuns and laypeople
Prominence of women
Society based on nonviolence, quest for
enlightenment, welfare of all
Non-missionary religion
Sikhism:
16th c. In India, Muslim rule, but majority
Hindu population
Hindu monotheism and Sufi Islam
exchanging ideas
Love of and mystical devotion to God
Nanak (1469-1539) born Hindu Kshatriya but
also educated in Islam
At age 30 disappears while bathing for 3 days.
Has encounter with God and becomes…
Guru: gu (dispeller of ignorance) ru (bringer
of enlightenment)
Travels spreading message of one God, unity of
religious paths and futility of traditional
rituals
1521 Settles in India, builds dharmasala
Sikhs (“disciples”)
Succeeded by 9 gurus, last of which is Gobind
Singh (1666-1708)
1699 Guru Gobind founds khalsa (pure) order
Five K’s: kais (uncut hair), kangha (comb),
kirpan (sword/dagger), kara (wristguard), kachha (short pants)
Name added on joining khalsa: Singh (“lion,”
for men) or Kaur (“princess,” for women)
Adi Granth (holy text of Sikhs)
c. 18 million Sikhs, mostly in India (esp. Punjab)
Universe as emanation of God’s being
God as personal deity and true Guru
Combination of monism and monotheism
Human soul as part of emanation from God.
Upon death, fate determined by karma,
but normally rebirth
Aim to achieve union with God and escape
cycle of death/rebirth
Bad behaviour, not loving God allowing
Yama, Lord of Death, to trap soul in
cycle of death/rebirth
Seek self-transformation through teachings
of gurus in Adi Granth, leading
eventually to union with God
Service, ritual, worship
Gurdwara (Sikh temple) worship: veneration,
readings with commentary, hymns,
serving of karah parsad
Other religious observances:
Holy festivals throughout year
Rites of passage incl. khalsa initiation
Sikh values:
Love of God, expressed through
dedication to work, worship and
charity
Cultivation of wisdom, truthfulness,
justice, moderation and selfcontrol, contentment, courage
Diligence, honesty, altruism and
tolerance